Pres. Barrow Says Presidential Election Is ‘Already Over,’ Urges Opposition Leaders to Join Him

By Makutu Manneh

President Adama Barrow has declared that The Gambia’s upcoming presidential election is “already over,” expressing confidence in his re-election prospects and calling on opposition leaders to join his government in pursuing the country’s development.

Barrow made the remarks on Saturday, Sept. 19, during the inauguration of the Gunjur Beachside Road.

The president said that after the Gambia Democratic Congress joined his political camp, he reached out to United Democratic Party leader Ousainu Darboe and encouraged him to do the same.

Barrow said he told Darboe that the election was effectively settled and argued that money that would otherwise be spent on political campaigning could instead be directed toward national development.

He said Darboe did not respond to his appeal.

Barrow extended a similar invitation to other opposition figures, including Essa Mbye Faal of APP-Sobeyaa, urging them to join him in what he described as a collective effort to develop the country.

“We only want peace in the country and to bring development to The Gambia,” Barrow said.

The president said people who believed they had knowledge and expertise to contribute, as well as those committed to peace and development, were welcome to join his political movement.

He repeated his assertion that the election was “over” and predicted that the opposition would suffer a larger defeat than in the previous presidential election.

The remarks reflected Barrow’s confidence in his political position ahead of the vote, though the outcome will ultimately be determined by voters when ballots are cast and counted.